The Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility was established in October 1991 as a $1 billion pilot program in the World Bank to assist in the protection of the global environment and to promote environmental sustainable development.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) unites 182 member governments — in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector — to address global environmental issues. An independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.

The GEF partnership includes 10 agencies: the UN Development Programme; the UN Environment Programme; the World Bank; the UN Food and Agriculture Organization; the UN Industrial Development Organization; the African Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Inter-American Development Bank; and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel provides technical and scientific advice on the GEF's policies and projects. The GEF also serves as financial mechanism for the following conventions:

1.Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

2.United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

3.Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

4.UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

5.The GEF, although not linked formally to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Who Can Apply ?

The GEF funds a broad array of project types that vary depending on the scale of GEF resources, the project needs and the issue addressed. In order to be approved, each project follows a specific project cycle.Each GEF country member has designated an officer responsible forGEF activities, known as GEF Operational Focal Point , who plays a key role in assuring thatGEF projects are aligned to meet the needs and priorities of the respective country. Any eligible individual or group may propose a project.However,to be taken into consideration ,a project proposal has to fulfill the following criteria:

1. It is undertaken in an eligible country. It is consistent with national priorities and programs.

2. It addresses one or more of the GEF Focal Areas, improving the global environment or advance the prospect of reducing risks to it. It is consistent with the GEF operational strategy.

3. It seeks GEF financing only for the agreed-on incremental costs on measures to achieve global environmental benefits

4. It involves the public in project design and implementation.

5. It is endorsed by the government(s) of the country/ies in which it will be implemented.